OAKLAND (KCBS) – The city of Oakland is looking for a few good men and women who are looking to work in the field of law enforcement.

Over the last few years, the city has struggled to maintain the number of police officers on the job. Recent reports suggest the number is close to 650 total officers, down from about 840 a few years ago.

KCBS’ Mark Seelig Reports:

“The last several years in the city of Oakland, we have had to reduce our staffing quite a bit,” said Oakland police spokeswoman Johnna Watson. “And now we have the opportunity to open our doors up.”

Watson said that funding has been set aside to put together not one, but two upcoming police academies.

“We’ve opened up our application process and we are hoping that individuals from within our community in Oakland or outside our community will apply,” she said.

The department is looking for 55 people to fill out the August session and another is planned for later in the year.

“You need to possess a high school diploma or a GED. The applicant must be at least 21 years of age at the time of graduating,” said Watson.

Some of the new recruits brought in will be filling positions that will be vacated by retiring officers and those leaving the department for other reasons.

The deadline to apply is this Monday. Those interested can get more information by logging on to www.opdjobs.com.

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